2000-03-15 Airport Relations Commission MinutesMENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION 1
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
March 15, 2000
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Wednesday, March 15, 2000, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria
Curve. Chair Beaty called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. The following members
were present: Beaty, Fitzer, Leumann, Petschel, Roszak and Stein. Also present was
Administrator Batchelder.
Commissioner May was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION:
by Commissioner Roszak, seconded by Commissioner Petschel to
approve the February 9, 2000 minutes as written. The motion was
approved unanimously.
PART 150 STUDY UPDATE
Chair Beaty stated that he was disappointed to see that there is a recommendation to
maintain distant departure procedures as part of the 150 Study.
City Administrator Batchelder referred the Commission to the data presented in the
Mendota Heights Corridor Analysis where the MASAC Operations Committee made
preliminary recommendations for the Part 150 Study. In addition to maintaining distant
departures, the following additional recommendations: 1) not change the existing
corridor boundaries; 2) to maximize crossing procedures whenever possible; 3) continue
compliance monitoring; 4) use .technology to develop distant departures. These
recommendations amount to keeping the status quo in the corridor. Eagan moved to
recommend the full recommendations to MASAC. Mayor Mertensotto voted against the
motion because the position of the City is to increase close -in departures. Batchelder
stated that the most recent evidence presented shows that close -in departures would be a
negative impact on the City, rather than a positive one as previously thought.
Administrator Batchelder emphasized that all the material that has been provided to this
date has indicated close -in departures would be beneficial to Mendota Heights. The
explanation given by HNTB consultants is that there is now a different fleet mix with
more stage III aircraft.
A review of close -in departures was done in Minneapolis. It was deteliiiined that at
certain gates planes are 500 feet higher, but this height could not be correlated with noise
monitored on the ground. A reduced thrust setting is used with close -in departures which
MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION 2
makes the plane louder on the ground. The difference is greater with the old Stage 2
aircraft than with the newer Stage 3. The recommendations were passed to the full
MASAC body.
Administrator Batchelder stated that one of the City's biggest concerns expressed in the
City's original scoping letter is the runway use system. He referred Commissioners to
the resolution on nighttime runway use that was recently adopted by MAC without any
prior notification to airport communities. It states in part:
"Whereas, as part of their ongoing noise abatement measures, MAC and the
Metropolitan Sound Abatement Council support the use of the Eagan/Mendota
Heights Corridor and in particular its use during nighttime hours, as a procedure
for avoiding nighttime activity in the residential areas west of Cedar Avenue and
north of Highway 62;..."
This clearly continues to protect South Minneapolis. The additional runway will allow
more options to move planes around, but this resolution does not take the new runway
into account. Commissioner Petschel noted that the computer data was used to justify the
resolution without taking into account the new runway.
Chair Beaty stated that he would like to see the contours from eight years ago for
comparison purposes that would show the difference between the projected contour in
1991 and the real contour that exists today.
Mayor Mertensotto visited the meeting. He stated that he cannot understand how MAC
can justify close -in departures on the Minneapolis end of the airport but not on the
Eagan/Mendota Heights side. The computer expert tried to explain that it will not make a
difference with Stage 3 aircraft, but DC -9s will be in service for a long time. Mendota
Heights was the only City that voted against the corridor resolution. Mr. Stein explained
that the airline saves money by using 80% thrust for takeoff with close -in departures. It
saves on the life of the engine.
Administrator Batchelder stated that the City's scoping comments requested the
elimination head -to -head operations and bring planes in on a new runway during the
night. Chair Beaty stated that if there are three runways, there should not be a need for
head -to -head operations, which affect residential areas of the City.
Mayor Mertensotto noted that the headings are based on ground tracks that define the
corridor.
Administrator Batchelder stated that the MAC nighttime runway resolution is based on
land use compatibility issues. MAC has issued instructions regarding nighttime use
based on that resolution.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION 3
DISCUSSION OF GROUND RUN -UP ENCLOSURE
Administrator Batchelder noted the letter from Northwest stating they are not in favor of
building a run -up enclosure at this airport because it would be too difficult for big jets to
back in and out. The City's position is concern for noise abatement, and even measures
with incremental benefit should be done.
Mayor Mertensotto emphasized that the $5 million cost is fur run -up enclosures is a small
amount compared to MAC's $500 million capital improvements budget.
REVIEW FINAL DRAFT OF AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION
BROCHURE
It was the consensus of the Commission to use the language as stated in the February 9,
2000 meeting minutes and look at a draft brochure at the next meeting.
MASAC YEAR IN REVIEW REPORT
MASAC goals for 2000 were noted:
1. Continued pursuit of Internet development
2. Ground Run -up Enclosure (GRE) Feasibility Study Findings
3. Guest speakers
4. Assessment of Different Global Positioning System (DGPS) Requirements
5. Finalize new report fonnats for the MASAC Technical Advisor's Report and
Eagan/Mendota Heights departure corridor analysis
6. Assess Stage 3 fleet activity at Minneapolis /St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
and receive reports from airlines on future fleet mixes.
7. ANOMS: Introduction to Lochard — the new ANOMS provider
8. Evaluation of Part 150 recommendations for implementation
9. Reviewing the status of MSP's DGPS ground station upgrade to a Local Area
Augmentation System (LAAS)
Chair Beaty asked for clarification of the assessment of Stage 3 aircraft. Administrator
Batchelder explained that there will be an evaluation of Stage 3 manufactured and
hushkitted aircraft. The fleet mix of each airline will be assessed to find out phase -out
plans for hushkitted aircraft.
Commissioner Stein referred to page 19 of the report and noted that the percentage of
MSP Airport operators for Northwest Airlines is stated as 52.9 %, which does not include
cargo planes. With cargo planes it would be closer to 70 %.
It was the consensus of the Commission to further review this report and bring any issues
that need to be discussed to the next meeting.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION 4
\ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF VARIOUS REPORTS /CORRESPONDENCE
Commissioner Petschel asked if the noise contour used for sound insulation is confined to
65 degrees or will be moved to 60 degrees. Administrator Batchelder stated that the
legislature moved it to 60 degrees, but the federal government questioned that change.
The legislature and MAC would have to fund it themselves. The question is whether the
FAA will approve it, even if it is MAC money being spent.
Chair Beaty asked about the activities of the Governor's Stabilization Task Force.
Administrator Batchelder explained that the Task Force met to discuss noise issues. The
result of that discussion was that the State of Minnesota should pay for mitigation. The
sales tax at the airport should be put in a fund for the Department of Economic
Development to give out as community grants. Communities could create TIF districts in
order to redevelop and relocate residential areas.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deanne Gueblaoui
Recording Secretary